Norfolk, VA Car Accident Lawyers
Our law firm handles car accident claims and lawsuits
Did another driver cause your Virginia car accident? Perhaps you are suffering from whiplash due to a rear-end accident caused by a distracted driver in Norfolk? Or maybe you sustained a concussion in a speeding accident in Virginia Beach?
When serious car accidents happen in Virginia, you need to act fast – to protect your health and your rights. But what should you do? What are your options? Don’t panic. We can help. Our team of Norfolk, VA car accident attorneys at Welch & Wright, PLLC have the knowledge, skills and experience you need to tackle your complex legal case.
In particular, our trial lawyers have extensive courtroom experience in the Hampton Roads region of Virginia. As a result, we won’t waste any valuable time getting right to work investigating your accident and building a strong legal case focused on getting you the maximum financial compensation you deserve for your car accident. Your best interests come first at our Norfolk law firm.
Virginia’s Most Dangerous Roads & Highways
Based on car accident data collected by the Virginia Department of Transportation, the most dangerous highways in the state are I-95, I-81, I-64 and US Route 460. Each year, more serious car accidents occur on these four highways than any other major roads in Virginia.
But if you dig deeper, specific sections of certain highways and roads in Virginia are even more dangerous than others. In particular, the top 10 most dangerous roads and highways in Virginia include:
- I-64 from Exit 258B to Exit 264 (Hampton, VA)
- Hull St. Rd. from Wayside Dr. to Evans St. (Richmond, VA)
- Hampton Roads Beltway from Exit 281 to Exit 274 (Norfolk, VA)
- I-295 from Exit 41A to Exit 34B (Hanover County, VA)
- US-13 from Indian River Rd. to Baker Rd. (Virginia Beach and Norfolk)
- I-95 from Exit 160A to 166A (Prince William County, Fairfax County)
- Mechanicsville Turnpike from Colter Dr. to Old Hickory Dr. (Hanover County and Henrico County)
- US-1 from Haden Ave. to Bellwood Rd. (Richmond, VA)
- I-95 from Exit 92A to Old Ridge Rd. (Hanover County, VA)
- Brock Rd. from Catharpin Rd. to Orange Plank Rd. (Spotsylvania County, VA)
(Source: Money Geek)
- What should I do after my car accident?
- Why do car accidents happen?
- What are common car accidents in Virginia?
- Who’s responsible for paying for my car accident?
- How much is my car accident claim worth?
- What can I be compensated for after my car crash?
- Should I accept a car accident settlement claim?
- Can I file a car accident lawsuit?
- How much time do I have to file a lawsuit after my car accident?
- How can a Virginia car accident lawyer help?
- Why should I hire Welch & Wright, PLLC?
Car accidents can be complicated. We can help.
Don’t underestimate the seriousness or the complexity of your car accident. The longer you wait to take legal action, the more difficult it can often be to get the money you deserve for your accident-related expenses, which can add up fast.
Take the first step. Contact our law firm to learn more about your legal options. Schedule a free case evaluation with one of our skilled Norfolk, VA car accident lawyers. We can answer your questions, explain your options, and get right to work on your car accident injury claim or lawsuit.
What should I do after my car accident?
If you have been involved in a serious car accident caused by another driver in Virginia, take action right away:
- Call the police and tell them you have been involved in a serious collision.
- If you or anyone else appears seriously injured, ask the police to send an ambulance.
- When it’s safe to do so, take photos of your car accident. The more pictures you take, the better.
- If someone saw your accident, get their full name and phone number. Statements from eyewitnesses who saw your car crash can be important pieces of evidence.
- Share personal information with the other driver. This includes your name, address, phone number, driver’s license number and insurance information. Get the same info from the other driver as well.
- Once you have shared information with the other driver, don’t discuss your car crash with anyone else at the scene of your collision. Anything you say could later be used to reduce or even deny your accident claim.
Then, as soon as possible after the crash:
- Call a Virginia car accident lawyer as soon as possible after your collision. The sooner you have an attorney investigating your crash, the better.
- If the other driver’s insurance company contacts you, don’t talk to them. You don’t have to do so. The reason they’re calling you is they’re probably looking for information they can use to blame you for causing the collision and denying your accident claim.
- See a doctor as soon as possible. Even if a medical professional already examined you at the scene of your crash, have a doctor examine you again. Many serious car accident injuries – including whiplash, concussions, and other traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) – take several days to develop.
- Follow your doctor’s instructions. If you don’t, you might not fully recover, and your injury claim might be denied because insurance companies might claim you’re not really hurt.
Why do car accidents happen?
Collisions caused by other drivers often occur because one driver was behaving in a reckless or negligent manner. Examples include:
- Distracted driving, including texting while driving.
- Speeding, especially in cases involving highway accidents.
- Drunk driving or driving under the influence of other drugs.
- Tired drivers who fall asleep at the wheel.
What are common car accidents in Virginia?
Some of the most common types of car accidents in Virginia involving two or more vehicles include:
- Rear-end collisions – One driver hits the back of another car, often at intersections or even on highways if traffic slows down. Distracted driving also often plays a role in rear-end crashes.
- Head-on collisions – One of the most serious types of accidents, head-on collisions involve one vehicle smashing directly into another one, often due to speeding or distracted driving.
- Intersection accidents – Many collisions often occur at intersections, especially when one driver runs a red light or doesn’t stop at a stop sign due to speeding, texting while driving or simply reckless driving behavior.
- T-Bone accidents – Sometimes called broadside accidents, these types of collisions involve one vehicle crashing into the side of another vehicle. Many of these collisions occur at intersections, but also when drivers pull out of driveways and side streets.
- Hit-and-run accidents – Drivers in Virginia are required by law to report all serious collisions involving another driver that resulted in an injury or vehicle damage over $1,500. Unfortunately, some drivers leave the scene of an accident without calling the police or sharing information with the other driver. This is against the law in Virginia.
- High-speed collisions – Speeding accidents remain one of the most common types of collisions, especially on highways and rural roads, where many people drive far above the speed limit.
- Rollover accidents – This type of accident is especially common in crashes involving SUVs, which can tip over and roll over onto their side when they’re involved in a collision with another vehicle.
Who’s responsible for paying for my car accident?
First, let’s start with what type of insurance system exists in Virginia. The state has what’s known as an at-fault car insurance system. This means the at-fault party is responsible for paying for all the accident-related expenses for anyone injured in an accident.
So if another driver caused your crash, most likely that driver’s insurance company will pay for your accident expenses. But be prepared for battle with them. Many times, insurance companies put all their energy towards denying injury claims rather than paying them.
How much is my car accident claim worth?
There’s no set dollar amount when it comes to Virginia car accidents. Some accident claims might be worth a few thousand dollars. Others might be worth a lot more money. The bottom line is you should be paid for all your accident expenses if another driver caused your collision.
What can I be compensated for after my car crash?
Again, you should be paid for all of your accident-related expenses in Virginia if another driver caused your collision. And not just short-term expenses. Even if such expenses occur years later, you should not have to pay for them. Such expenses include:
- All medical care related to your car accident injury, including future anticipated medical expenses such as physical therapy, doctor’s appointments, and follow-up surgery.
- Repairing your vehicle or buying a new car, especially if it’s a total loss due to your accident.
- Replacement income if you need time off from work to recover from your injuries.
- Lost future income if you are unable to return to work or can only work in a limited capacity due to a permanent disability.
- Pain and suffering.
Should I accept a car accident settlement claim?
Don’t be surprised if the at-fault driver’s insurance company contacts you soon after your accident and makes a settlement offer. This is a one-time cash payment designed to pay for your accident. You might be tempted to accept such an offer, especially if you have a lot of unpaid bills after your accident.
But be aware that if you agree to accept such an offer, that’s it, your case is settled. So if you need more money in the future for future expenses, you cannot get additional money from the other driver’s insurance company. Those future expenses are your responsibility. And you’ll likely have to pay for them out of your own pocket.
Can I file a car accident lawsuit?
Yes. You have the right to take legal action in Virginia and file a lawsuit against the at-fault party for damages, the legal term for financial compensation. However, be aware that suing another driver, their insurance company or anyone else responsible for compensating you for your accident can often be a complicated legal process.
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How much time do I have to file a lawsuit after my car accident?
Virginia has strict deadlines for taking legal action in response to a car accident. From the date of your accident, you have two (2) years to file a lawsuit in Virginia. This deadline is known as the statute of limitations. If you miss this deadline, you could miss out on your opportunity to get the money you rightfully deserve.
How can a Virginia car accident lawyer help?
The car accident claim process in Virginia can be complicated. So is the legal system if you decide to file a lawsuit or take legal action against the at-fault party. Either way, an experienced Virginia car accident attorney can help you navigate through this system and demand the money you rightfully deserve.
Experienced Virginia car accident lawyers know that obtaining the maximum financial compensation for injury victims requires a tremendous amount of work and skill. Your attorney needs to know how the legal system works and what evidence to look for to build the strongest possible legal case. They also need to act fast since the evidence you need can disappear or be destroyed long before your two-year deadline to file a lawsuit expires. This is why you should hire a lawyer as soon as possible after your Virginia car accident.
Why should I hire Welch & Wright, PLLC?
Our Norfolk, VA car accident attorneys have the knowledge and experience you need after your car crash. In particular, our trial attorneys frequently represent injury victims in court in Norfolk, Newport News, Virginia Beach and throughout the greater Hampton Roads area. This is important since different jurisdictions sometimes function differently than others. You need a lawyer that knows your area and knows exactly what to do.
Our legal team also knows how to deal with insurance companies. This is important because many insurance companies do everything they can to pay car accident injury victims little or nothing. We know how to negotiate with them. And if they refuse to cooperate, we will not hesitate to file a car accident lawsuit on your behalf.
Get the Norfolk law firm that gets results for victims. Contact us and schedule a free case evaluation with a Norfolk car accident attorney you can count on in a crisis. We’re here for you when you need us most.